Paros holidays

Compare the best Paros holidays

Sitting at the heart of the Aegean Sea within the Cyclades archipelago, the island of Paros offers an honest and refreshing look at life in Greece. Book holidays in Paros to experience the country as you never have before.

Why go?

Find out more about this lovely Greek island and then compare prices on Paros holidays with TravelSupermarket…

Paros lies to the west of Naxos and to the south of holiday-favourite Mykonos, with its famous blue domes, bare-armed windmills, white sands and turquoise seas. You don’t have to go to Mykonos to get those iconic views, though. They also come free when you book a Paros holiday. From the bustling capital of Parikia, where fishing boats bump up against taverna terraces, to the sands and crystal-clear waters of Chrissi Akti, or Golden Beach, Paros has all the ingredients required of a delicious break under the intense Greek sun.

Paros is reached from the UK via flights into Mykonos, or another nearby island, and a connecting ferry. The lack of an international airport has enabled Paros to retain a more traditional feel than many other Greek islands, for which many visitors are truly thankful. The destination has legions of loyal fans who come back year after year – will you too fall for its charms?

It is easy to be entranced by Paros: villages overflowing with culture and customs; sensational views across the Aegean; walking trails that snake through farmland and over hills; a clutch of sun-drenched beaches… this is the Greece you see on picture postcards.

Stay in the capital Parikia, or book your break in one of the excellent hotels and apartments in areas such as Naoussa, Drios, Piso Livadi, Golden Beach, and Aliki. Much of the island’s accommodation is offered on a self-catering or bed-and-breakfast basis, though there are some Paros all-inclusive hotels.

To find cheap holidays to Paros, simply use the search tool on TravelSupermarket to compare the best deals.

When to go?

Find out when the main holiday season in Paros begins and ends with our brief guide to when to go…

Tourists begin arriving in Paros in May, when wildflowers are still in bloom, the sea has warmed up enough for a bracing swim, and average daytime temperatures begin to hit 20C. June, July and August are also popular months to visit Paros, with July and August being the busiest months by far (with temperatures reaching above 30C most days). Things then begin to wind down for the season in September and early October, when more volatile seas mean less frequent ferry crossings.

What's on?

Find out what’s on when with our round up of the top annual events in Paros…

Easter; March/April: Arrive before the main holiday season (and other tourists) to see Paros in a different light. You are welcome to attend events around the Easter week, which are quite spectacular. On Good Friday, travel to the village of Marpissa to see locals posing in various “living pictures”, recreating scenes from the Bible (they have to stay still for at least an hour).

Assumption of the Virgin Mary; August 15: This major feast day in Greece is celebrated on Paros with cultural activities in and around the beautiful Ekatontapyliani, which is also known as the Church of 100 Doors. This Byzantine church in Parikia is the hub of festivities, though there is always much to see and do around the island during this important day.

Barbarossa Pirate festival in Naoussa; August 23: With the assistance of many fireworks, the port town of Naoussa stages an annual recreation of a 1537 pirate invasion by Barbarossa. Once the “battle” ends, the dancing, drinking and feasting begins.

What to do?

There is much to see and do in Paros, if you can be separated from your comfortable sun lounger…

Grown-up families: Make the short hop across the water by boat to the islet of Antiparos, where snaps of the gorgeous Venetian castle and bougainvillea-draped homes of the main town will soon fill your camera.

Relaxing: Paros has a couple of unusual beaches for a unique spot of relaxation. Kolymbithres Beach, near Naoussa, has a series of magnificent white-stone formations that have been sculpted by nature. Meanwhile, on Kalogeros Beach, visitors plaster themselves in natural clay, let it dry, and then rinse off for smooth-as-silk skin.

Active types: Windsurfing and kitesurfing are particularly popular in Paros thanks to an almost-constant summer breeze. Try the beaches of Pounda and Golden Beach for perfect conditions and instructors who can show you the ropes if you are new to either sport.